HS Basketball: Federal Way Picks Up Big League Victory Over White River

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Federal Way Eagles 12/17/20/27 – 66
White River Hornets 9/11/18/22 – 60

(Federal Way, WA)

The 3A NPSL is highly competitive, and two of the top teams in the league weren’t even in 3A last year. Federal Way dropped down from 4A to 3A before this school year, and White River jumped up from 2A. Both teams have been successful in the postseason as of late and are looking to make it back to the State Tournament. Before they set their sights on playing in the Tacoma Dome, the Eagles and the Hornets have their eyes set on attempting to take the 3A NPSL regular season crown and sole possession of second place in the league.

In the first quarter, defense reigned supreme, as neither side’s offense could find their rhythm. Federal Way forced multiple White River turnovers, while White River did a great job contesting every Federal Way shot, making the Eagles earn every point in the quarter. Brayden McVey and Saxon Niles each had four points for Federal Way, but they only led 12-9 after the first.

In the second quarter, the offenses found their stride as White River took the lead at 20-18, but Federal Way ended the half on an 11-0 run to lead 29-20 at the half. Jacob Hurskin and Eric Turner each had five second-quarter points for Federal Way to help add to the run. Both teams had balanced scoring, with six players getting on the scoreboard in the first half for White River, while Federal Way had seven players scoring for the Eagles.

In the third quarter, the offenses continued to shine as Federal Way would put up 20 points as a teammate 18 of those points would come from Saxon Niles with eight and Brayden McVey with 10. Niles and McVey ran an excellent two-man game that allowed themselves good looks at the basket for the explosive quarter for the pair. White River had a big quarter from sharpshooter, Greg Schmitz, who was held scoreless in the first quarter, had nine points to lead the Hornets while his teammate Blake Caldwell had seven points. Federal Way led 49-38 heading into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, White River attempted to mount a comeback and nearly did. The Hornets on multiple occasions late in the fourth cut into the double-digit deficit to make it a three point game. White River’s Greg Schmitz had another nine point quarter, hitting a three and was fouled twice shooting threes, hit six free throws in the quarter, but the Hornets comeback effort fell just short, as Federal Way did just enough and made timely free throws to get the league win, 66-60.

Federal Way improves to 8-2 overall and 4-1 in league play and is in second place behind a really good Auburn Mountainview team, to which the Eagles sustained their lone league loss. Federal Way travels to Thomas Jefferson for another league game on Monday.

White River drops to 9-3 overall and is now 6-1 in league play. The Hornets will face Tumwater tonight on the Eli Sports Network, with the tip at 7:00 PM and our stream starting at 6:45 PM. The Hornets have two huge games next week, traveling to rivals Enumclaw on Tuesday before hosting Auburn Mountainview.

Our elisportsnetwork.com Game MVP went to Federal Way’s Saxon Niles, who led Federal Way in scoring with 19 points, hit two clutch free throws to seal the game for the Eagles, and was all over the floor, but made his presence felt in the paint to lead Federal Way to the home win.

Federal Way’s Brayden McVey had a great night also as he had 18 points, Eric Turner came off the bench for nine points, Geron White and Jacob Hurskin each had seven points, Justin Calcote had three points and Angelo Williams had two points.

White River had the game’s leading scorer, with Greg Schmitz scoring 18 of his 21 points in the second half, including three three-pointers, and six free throws on two other three-point attempts in which he was fouled on. Blake Caldwell had an impressive night with 17 points, Logan Senon had 12 points, Jacob Scheidt had five points, Ray Palmer had three points and Zach Wisdom finished with two points.

Click here for the full game replay.

ESN Talks With Game MVP, Federal Way’s Saxon Niles